On-call for flying to emergencies in the resort, the service’s helicopter costs £1.9 million a year to keep in the air.

NWAA worker Jackie Northover made the appeal when she was collecting the latest OS maps for the crew from a Formby bookshop.

“It costs us £1.9m a year to keep the aircraft operating and we are the only one in the North West. If anyone would like to get involved or volunteer call us on 0151-547 7830. We are especially desperate for volunteers in Southport,” she said.